Domaine du Petit Perou – International Wine & More

More than a team, Petit Perou is generations committed to quality and hard work.

Here at the Domaine, we live and work as a family on the estate, each with their own role and experience.

In addition to his work at the winery and vineyard, Laurent Thévenet often travels to serve his clients in different markets, while his wife, Sarah Thévenet, handles the administrative side of the Domaine and knows all of its clients inside out.

Between the vineyard, the wine, and sales, his son, Hugo Thévenet, perfectly complements his father, and Roger Thévenet, his grandfather, is the domaine's expertise. He's always willing to give his honest opinion and point of view. And last but not least, Alexa Thévenet, Laurent's daughter. Alexa joined the domaine in 2022 after four years working as an order picker at a domaine in the same appellation.

1886 – 1958

Jean Thévenet

Jean worked the family's 4 hectares of Morgon vineyard directly. He vinified them and sold them to Negociants. The 4.5 hectares of Brouilly vineyard in the commune of Quincié were farmed by Jean, and a portion was rented to another farmer. Half of the harvest that Jean Thévenet worked was also sold to Negociants. Jean Thévenet farmed his Domaine during two wars. Under these conditions, it was very difficult to expand his presence. Life in those times was harsh. Families struggled to make a living. Vine diseases, frost, and hail prevented them from producing enough to live on. These were the seasons for cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and rabbits. The estate included fields to feed the entire small farm. These were times when, to survive, one needed more than selling wine.

1920 – 1991

Henri Thevenet

Henri didn't feel a calling to be a winemaker. But the war put an end to his studies for a degree in pharmaceuticals. After the war, he took over management of Domaine du Petit Pérou in the late 1940s. The 4.5 hectares of Brouilly were sold to the farmer who had worked them for so long. Naturally, Henri Thévenet, the only son, inherited all of the appellation's vineyards in Morgon, to which he added the inheritance from his in-laws and some land acquired within the appellation. The estate grew to 12 hectares, about ten in the Morgon appellation and two in Beaujolais. Henri Thévenet was a pioneer in selling bottles directly from the estate. Without a great interest in vineyard management, but being a good manager, he gave away a property in good condition, with good potential for selling bottles. The property was divided among his three sons.

1948

Roger Thevenet

Forty years of presence at the estate, including thirty years selling in Paris and the surrounding area. The decline in sales in the 1970s forced him to follow the example of the Auvergnes of yesteryear and sell his own wine. He built an excellent client base, supplying Morgon to the best wine shops, bars, and restaurants in Paris. In 1977, inheritances left him with only 3.5 hectares of vineyards. Domaine du Petit Pérou had to be rebuilt. In 1985, it reached 10 hectares following several acquisitions by his son Laurent. Since 1995, the entire production has been sold bottled. It's hard to leave behind what you love, so despite his retirement, Roger remains actively involved in Domaine du Petit Pérou.

1969

Laurent Thevenet

After studying viticulture and oenology at the Avize Viticulture School in the Champagne region, Laurent returned to work with his father at Domaine du Petit Pérou. After more than ten years of experience, he took over management of the estate in 2005. The domaine has expanded and diversified. The 18 hectares of producing vineyards are primarily made up of Morgon, 10 hectares; some white grapes, following the planting of Chardonnay in 2003; some Beaujolais, on about 2.5 hectares; and the latest addition is Syrah, which has been marketed since the 2016 harvest. The profession of winegrower has changed dramatically. In addition to managing the vineyards, Laurent often makes deliveries in the Paris region, as well as to other regions of France. In this way, we get to know our customers and gain their trust, and with whom we forge bonds of friendship.

1995

Hugo Thevenet

He completed his studies in 2015. He earned a Professional Diploma in Vineyards and Wines, and later a Higher Technical Diploma in Technical Sales of Wines and Spirits. He started very young and is determined to perpetuate the Domaine's values. Leading, organizing, and commanding requires exemplary leadership, and therefore Hugo is involved in every stage of the Domaine's work. Business is his passion, but working in the vineyards is also very important to him. To produce quality wine, healthy grapes are necessary. Hugo has taken on the responsibility of cultivating the estate's vineyards; he is responsible for tilling all of the Domaine's land.

The Terroir, Variety and Denominations

The Domaine cultivates 15 hectares of vineyards, more than 10 hectares of which are in the Cru de Morgon. Most of the vines grow on clay soils, with only 3 hectares on sandy soils. There are also 1.5 hectares of Morgon Côte de Py, the hill overlooking the Cru Morgon, with stony soils (composed of bluestone) rich in trace elements. Most of our vineyard plots are located on the outskirts of the estate, to simplify our work.

Gamay Noir

This variety originating in Burgundy would be the result, according to published genetic analyses, of a cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc.

It is a red grape variety with white juice, of very ancient origin, which produces fine, juicy bunches and produces fresh, fruity red wines.

Brouilly Pisse-Vieille

Brouilly is the southernmost appellation, with 1.3 hectares of vineyards. The largest of the ten cru vineyards in the Beaujolais area, it includes the six municipalities of Ciercié, Charentay, Odenas, Quincié, Saint-Étienne-la-Varenne, and Saint-Lager. The commune of Brouilly is also famous for the history of the "Pisse-Vieille" vineyard (which is also indicated on the labels). The vineyard, named Pisse-Vieille, is the only "lieu dit" officially recognized by the INAO in the 1,200 ha area of the Brouilly appellation.

Morgon Les Dryades (Tradition)

Morgon is the second largest Cru in Beaujolais. The Morgon wine appellation is one of 10 crus in Beaujolais that produces red wines from the Gamay grape variety. Morgon is located on the west bank of the Saône River, on the slopes of the Beaujolais hills. The vineyards surround the commune of Villié-Morgon and cover approximately 1,115 hectares. To the north of Morgon are the Chénas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, and Chiroubles vineyards, while the Brouilly, Côte-de-Brouilly, and Régnié wine appellations border it to the south. From our Morgon Tradition cuvée, the oldest cuvée on the estate. “Les Dryades” in Greek, takes its origin from the name of the place known as the vineyards surrounding the Domaine called “Aux Chênes.”

Morgon Vieilles Vignes AOC

Morgon, an illustrious cru in the famed Beaujolais wine region, is famous for the unique wines it produces from six prominent vineyards or lieux-dits: Les Charmes, La Côte du Py, Les Micouds, Les Grands Cras, Corcelette, and Douby. The Morgon VV wine appellation is comprised of a premium winemaking terroir of primarily granite and schist, with some volcanic elements. The wines produced here are denser than those produced elsewhere in Beaujolais. Like Fleurie, Morgon is home to a variety of high-quality producers. This wine comes from century-old vines, planted in 1920, in the lower Côte du Py, on soils composed of clay, bluestone, and alluvium.

Morgon Cote du Py AOC Indigénes

Côte du Py has long been considered Morgon's greatest vineyard, but it has also come to define what we believe Morgon is. Is Morgon the taste of Côte du Py? Or is Côte du Py the taste of Morgon? Our Morgon Côte du Py comes from very old, southeast-facing parcels rich in schist, decomposed granite, and hard bluestone. Côte du Py possesses a treasure trove of older vines, which are naturally more prone to lower yields and higher quality. In addition, the hill receives ample sun from all angles, especially the lieux-dits at the top. And like Moulin-à-Vent (the only other Beaujolais Cru that can compare to Côte du Py in terms of richness, structure, and flavor), the hill is buffeted by the Saône Valley winds, which keep the bunches dry and allow for a greater concentration of flavors.